This is Val Ansel. On April 1, 2024, she lost her beloved son, Matt Karpman, age 53 after a protracted and difficult battle with ALS.

Before traveling to Matt’s memorial she had a bad fall but ignored the pain as she could not miss the celebration of Matt's life.

When she returned to Santa Rosa Val was immediately admitted to the hospital with heart failure; she was also diagnosed with three broken ribs, a fractured scapula and a torn rotator cuff. In the hospital, Val contracted an infection, requiring an additional two week stay, and then two more weeks in a skilled nursing facility.

Consequentially, Val is burdened with large medical bills in addition to the pain and depression associated with mourning her son. As a senior living on a limited income in the notoriously expensive San Francisco Bay Area, Val is no longer able to work to supplement her income. She is at a loss as to how to cope and needs our help.

A group of friends is trying to help ease her situation by asking other friends, and even sympathetic friends-of-friends who may not know Val, to help alleviate some of the financial burden she is under. No one can ease the ache in her heart and her great sadness of losing her treasured son but we can help her to pay her bills.

Please give anything you can.